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Creenway Corridors and Natural Areas Plan <br />Blaine, MN <br />~ .c _ ~~ <br />"kr~~"k,4 _ a - <br />~~ <br />~~ . , ~ - <br /> <br /> <br /> i <br />Greenway Provides Wi/d/ife Habitat <br />Connections and Recreational Opportunities <br />The City of Blaine completed a natural <br />ilward resources inventory that identified a large <br />Winner <br />number of high-quality natural areas remaining <br />in the City. Many of these are outside the <br />current Metropolitan Urban Services Area <br />(MUSH) boundary. Several include plant and <br />animal species that are rare and <br />endangered, and are of statewide significance. <br />The City selected Bonestroo to link these natural areas <br />with a system of greenways. The greenways provide <br />habitat connections among the natural areas, and in <br />some cases, incorporate trails to expand and link the <br />City's existing trail system. <br />We identified the existing drainage ditch system within <br />the City as a key part of the greenway network. The <br />ditch system links the key natural areas inside and <br />outside Che City, such as Carlos Avery Wildlife <br />Management Area, the Rice Creek Chain of Lakes, and <br />major parks and wetlands within Blaine. <br />Bonestroo's efforts succeeded in: <br />• Identifying and mapping the greenway network, <br />including habitat connections and recreational <br />opportunities. <br />• Facilitating a local advisory committee to identify <br />and recommend the best system to the City. <br />• Developing management recommendations for the <br />corridors, including major road crossings and highest <br />quality natural communities. <br />• Developing management plans for several key <br />natural areas within the City that are part of the <br />greenway system. <br />• Identifying funding resources to implement the plan. <br />Blaine voters approved acity-wide referendum to <br />purchase open spaces and implement the greenway <br />plan. The City Council approved the greenway plan and <br />began implementation immediately using funds from <br />the open space referendum. Additional grant resources <br />are being sought from the Minnesota DNR and others to <br />purchase and restore significant resources within the <br />greenway system. <br />Project Data <br />• Recipient of the Metro Greenways Award in <br />recognition of outstanding natural <br />resource preservation efforts for ~ eonestraa <br />current and future generations ~ aosene <br />gq Anderlik 6 <br />~~~~ Associates <br />Enylnerrs S?r.MfeGs <br />